Before David Villa’s high-profile New York City FC debut in 2015, the Spanish striker will ply his trade for another Manchester City offshoot: Melbourne City in the A-League.

Many figured Villa’s move to NYCFC would include a pre-MLS pitstop considering the international club schedule. Soccerly has the story of Villa’s October-December move to Australia, where he’ll be arguably the biggest foreign name — or at least in a competition with Alessandro del Piero — to take the A-League pitch.

If the photo looks familiar, it’s near-identical — smile and all — to the shot Villa took for NYCFC earlier this week.

“From a football point of view it’s the opportunity to play in a new league in a different country, and of course it will be ideal for me to get some competitive football in the period before the MLS season gets under way.

“I’m sure that playing for Melbourne City FC will be a marvelous experience.”

It is the first major signing announced by Melbourne City since they were bought by English Premier League giants Manchester City earlier this year.

“We are very proud to have David Villa as part of the City family and are thrilled to announce he will play for Melbourne City FC in the A-League this (coming) season,” said Ferran Soriano, chief executive of the City Football Group.

Melbourne added the “City” to its name once the Qatari ownership took the club over, and it seems there may be no limit to where its owners will venture next (Looking forward to Club America City, Eintracht Frankfurt City and Cork City City).